shootng pains in hands - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

tagger · 10-22-2003, 09:06 PM

Sometimes I get shooting pains through the tops of my hands. A particular twist or turn of my hand will set it off. Very stabbing pain that sometimes radiates up mu arm. I've checked out carpal tunnel syndrome but it doesn't seem to match. When it happens it seems to come out of nowhere (a slight movement of my hand) and sudden and painful enough to shock mighty bad curses. I ca n usually shake it off but I can't help but wonder what can be causing these shooting stabbing pains. Any ideas?...Thanks..tagger

zuzu8 · 10-23-2003, 02:59 AM

Hi Tagger! We haven't "talked" in a while!

Your symptoms are interesting in that the top side of your hand is involved. You're right, carpel tunnel symptoms usually involve the median nerve. And the median nerve does not innervate this area, so it is unlikely that this symptom is from median nerve compression ie. carpel tunnel problems.

The back of the hand is innervated by the radial nerve. That nerve can be injured anywhere along its course from the neck to the brachial plexus, along the humerus and down into the hand.

Superficial radial neuropathy can cause the shooting pains you describe.

Have you had any injury recently higher up? Your neck?

Been on crutches? (The radial nerve can be traumatized I THINK when there's been unusual or impromper pressure under the armpit for any length of time...)

Otherwise, how have you been?!!!

zuzu xxx

tagger · 10-24-2003, 09:34 AM

Hi Zuzu!

Nice to hear from you. I don't get much time online lately account crazy shifts with my airline and my 11yr old MSN addict.

No recent injuries, just the usual chronic stuff. My neck has never been good as I used to jump horses and suffered many a fall and broken bones, whiplash etc (though I would do it all over again!) I have tendonitis in my right arm (golfers AND tennis elbow) and wear a brace when it is acting up.

The strange thing is that it can be either hand that is affected. Recently it has been my left hand. I could have injured either hand or other part of my body as I bump and bungle through life without paying much attention to it. This is more of an annoyance than anything else but I will mention your idea next time I see my GP.

Right now I'm waiting for the results from my MRI (Sciatica). I also found the MRI to be quite relaxing and an interesting experience. I was expecting one repetitive sound and was surprised that there were actually a series of very different sounds thoughout the 30 mins or so I was in there. My Dad is scheduled for one soon. I mentioned to the technician how relaxing it was and she said they often run into problems with "snorers" who move too much when they fall asleep. They'll have their hands full with Dad who falls asleep constantly (due to all the meds) and is a powerful snorer! lol!

Take care, thanks for the info...Tagger

zuzu8 · 10-25-2003, 12:07 PM

Tagger- You may be full of aches and pains, but boy do you have a good memory! It was MONTHS ago that I posted about the calming effect an enclosed MRI had on me. Interesting that you found it relaxing as well.

Your hand pains really sound like a referred problem from possibly your neck ..but I'm not a doc, so....
Still, I'm glad to know it's more of an annoyance than incapacitating.

Fingers crossed regarding the MRI for your sciatica which, if I remember correctly, has been unresponsive to physical therapy.

Keep us posted when you can.
Good luck!
zuzu xx

tagger · 10-29-2003, 09:17 PM

Hi Zuzu,

The sciatica seems to be getting worse even though I am doing all the exercises etc. I have been researching and believe that I have "piraformis syndrome" (as my "physiatrist" advised me) and bursitis in my right hip. Geting old...bah!

What gets me down is that I feel that my job drains me (I feel like it sucks the life out of me!) and then I have nothing left over for my kids and family. Some people will flippantly advise that I should quit my job and cut down on expenses etc etc, but that is not in the books for me. We are barely making the mortgage payments. The airline I work for is filing for bankruptcy protection and they are really sockng it to us re finances,awful shifts etc. It sure wasn't what I signed on for 25 yrs ago! I wake up in pain and live n pain every day. I try not to succumb to the "victim" mentality but sometimes it's hard not to feel sorry for myself as I decide which painkiller to take today to make it through the day.

I haven't had the MRI results yet. I'd love to know what the pain triggers are. Today was particularly awful on the pain scale. I remeber only 2 years ago hiking, skiing etc without a care. I love skiing with my kids and will do it this winter whatever I have to do to achieve it, but it is a little scary all the same.(the suffering afterwards)

By the way, whatever happened to our long winded friend of a few months ago? Can't remember his name. He seemed quite self centred to me. (cornelius?) I guess he became bored with us. He had a lot of probems.
I still can't get my head around his anger management problems at the same time as being a cuddly teddy bear. You seemed to get along with hm more than anyone. Have you seen him on any other boards?

Hanging in...tagger

PS...if yu don't mind my askng, what was your MRI for?